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The world's weirdest animals - and where to see them

1. Ribbon worm

A man encountered this green jelly-like ribbon worm, or Nemertea, while fishing in the port of Penghu in Taiwan (pictured below). It has a proboscis, or feeding tube - the pink ribbon seen here - which it ejects while hunting. The proboscis secretes a mucus-like substance that paralyses its prey. Nemertea usually live underwater in tropical regions, but are also known to inhabit cool, damp terrestrial areas. They are also undoubtedly disgusting.

Where to spot them

Taiwan (and elsewhere): Should you wish to, ribbon works can usually be seen underwater in tropical regions, but are also known to inhabit cool, damp terrestrial areas.

The nemertea uses a proboscis to eject a serum that paralyses its prey (Photo: YouTube / 簡偉丞)

2. Western tarsier

You've heard of eyes bigger than your stomach - well, now meet the animal that has eyes as big as its brain. The Gollum-like western tarsier has possibly nature's best night vision goggles, while it uses its claw-like digits and powerful back legs to leap between trees in search of insects and small invertebrates, and to claw them out from nooks and crannies in branches.

Where to spot them

The tarsier is native to Borneo and parts of Sumatra. It can also be seen in the Philippines.

The tarsier has eyes larger than its brain (PHoto: AP)

3. Sloane's viperfish

This deep sea fish has fangs so large that they protrude from its mouth, sitting like spears alongside its beady eyes. Lurking at between 1,000 and 2,000 metres below the surface of the ocean, the viperfish uses bioluminescence to create a small lamp that dangles from its back to attract its prey of crustaceans and small fish.

Where to spot them

Although viperfish have been known to get caught up in deep sea trawlers' nets, it is unlikely that you will ever see a living specimen. However, they may be spotted at Iceland's annual Festival of the Sea ("Sjomannadagur") at Reykjavik harbour, at which fishermen display a variety of strange, deep-sea species, including sea lampreys, fangtooths and viperfish.

4. Bald uakari

South Americans reputedly nickname this poor bald monkey 'mono angles', or 'English monkey', in honour of the first sunburnt Britons to visit their homeland. Whether or not that's myth or reality, the bald ukari's scarlet pate does ressemble that of a holidaymaker who has fallen asleep in the sun. During the rainy season, this vulnerable species lives high in the tree tops of the Amazon river basin, but retreats closer to the ground in the dry season to forage for nuts and seeds.

Where to spot them

The bald uakari can be found deep in the forests of Brazil, Peru and Colombia. In his guide to visiting the Amazon rainforest, Chris Moss recommends the floating Uakari Lodge, in Brazil's remote Mamiraua Sustainable Development Reserve, where guests may see bald uakari alongside other animals such as three-toed sloths and pink river dolphins.

The bald uakari is a vulnerable species that feeds mostly on nuts and seeds and fruit. (Photo: AP)

5. Mata mata

It may look like a pile of rotting leave mould, but this is actuallt a freshwater turtle. Its protruding nose acts as a snorkel, and uses its mouth as a low-pressure vaccuum to suck fish inside when they approach. Its carapace can measure up to 45 cm (18 in), and when fully grown they can weigh up to 15 kg (33 lb).

Where to spot them

The mata mata can be found across South America, notably in slow-moving streams and pools in northern Bolivia, eastern Peru, Ecuador, eastern Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, and northern and central Brazil.

The mata mata is carnivorous and feeds on small fish. (Photo: Alamy)

6. Fog-basking beetle

Inhabiting the arid Namib desert, the fog-basking beetle captures water droplets on its back legs from coastal fog by performing a headstand in the sand.

Where to spot them

The fog beetle generates water in the arid Namib desert. (Photo: Alamy)

7. Lowland streaked tenrec

This spiny mammal bristles with barbed quills that it uses to ward of predators - mostly mongoose - by erecting them, pointing them forward, and driving them into the attacker's nose or paws. In bold yellow and brown stripes, the tenrec weighs about 200g and feeds on earthworms and insects.

Where to spot them

Northern and eastern Madagascar, where it can mostly be found in long, shallow burrows, in family groups.

8. Axolotl

The Lazarus of the animal world, this salamander has fascinating healing powers, with an ability to regrow limbs, parts of its brain and spinal chord. Its feathery gills and lidless eyes are explained by the fact that it remains in larval stage throughout its life. It is often mistaken for a fish, but is actually an amphibian.

Where to spot them

The Mexican axolotl is critically endangered and in the wild can only be found in Lake Xochimilco, near Mexico City.

9. Babirusa

The babirusa's tusks have inspired masks among the islanders who share the pig-deer's habitat, and have been known to be presented as gifts to visitors. The animal is protected in Indonedia and poaching is illegal, but they are still threatened by hunters, as well as deforestation.

Where to spot them

The babirusa can be found in the Adudu Nantu and Tangkoko nature reserve in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

The babirusa sharpens its tusks against trees and uses them in fights. (Photo: Maasterah/Wikipedia)

10. Proboscis monkey

The Malay for this primate is orang belanda, or "Dutchman" - supposedly because its pot belly and large nose reminded locals of Borneo's first European settlers. Writing about a trip to Borneo for Telegraph Travel in 2009, Frank Gardner described seeing "a female with her baby clinging to the soft fur of her underbelly as she leapt and swung through the trees". The monkey weighs up to 23kg (50lbs) and will only eat unripe fruit - the sugars in softer fruits ferment in their stomachs, which can cause fatal bloating.

Where to spot them

The proboscis monkey is indigenous to Borneo and is usually found in coastal areas.

The proboscis monkey is indigenous to Borneo (Photo: AP)

11. Treehoppers

These insects are masters at the art of camouflage, using their horn-like protrusions to resemble dead leaves in the presence of predators. Their powerful hind legs allow them to scarper if their ruse is rumbled. There are over 3,200 species, but individuals can only expect to live for a few months.

Where to spot them

Treehoppers are found on every continent except Antarctica. These specimens were photographed in Monteverde, Costa Rica.

12. Puss moth larva

Does this face put you off your lunch? That's the idea. The puss moth larva's appearance is a defensive strategy designed to deter predators - although the more persistent may also find themselves doused in the formic acid the creature is capable of squirting.

Where to spot them

Woods, parks and gardens across much of Europe and Asia (including Britain).

The larva's face is designed to deter predators. (Photo: Alamy)

13. Ground pangolin

Also known as Temminck's pangolin or the Cape pangolin, the ground pangolin is the world's only warm-blooded creature that is completely covered in scales. It uses them to form a tough armour-clad ball when it is threatened, alongside a foul-smelling spray emitted from its anal glands.

Where to spot them

Across sub-Saharan Africa, perhaps in Botswana's Kwando Reserve and Okavango Delta - but as pangolins are one of the world' most critically endangered species, sightings are rare.

The ground pangolin is the world's only warm-blooded creature that is completely covered in scales. (Photo: AP)

14. Leaf-horned frog

This amphibian lurks on the forest floor, but its scaly skin camouflages it against the surrounding foliage, enabling it to swallow its prey - crabs, lizards, small rodents and other frogs - whole as soon as they come within reach.

Where to spot them

The upland forests of southeast Asia, including the nature reserves of Sabah, southern Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia. They are, however, extremely difficult to spot and amphibian lovers travelling east to see them should not be disappointed if they do not emerge.

The leaf-horned frog uses its scaly skin as a disguise when hunting. (Photo: olei@despammed.com)

15. Shoebill

This large African bird - also known as the whalehead or shoe-billed stork - has an unfortunate beak - perhaps 10cm wide and 23cm long. It also has exceptionally large feet, with the middle toe reaching 16.8 to 18.5 cm (6.6 to 7.3 in) in length.

Where to spot them

The wetlands of the Great Bangweulu Basin in Zambia.

The showbill has a beak shaped like a clog (Photo: Snowmanradio/Wikipedia)

100 Bizarre Animals by Mike Unwin is published by Bradt Travel Guides (bradtguides.com)